Giving notice and then going on vacation?

[Anonymous]

I am anticipating a job offer next week and trying to plan a potential last-day/notice-giving schedule, and having a tough time. For argument's sake I will give notice of my departure on Dec 13th. I have scheduled (unpaid, though) leave from Christmas to Jan 1.

It is for a small company (<15 people) and while my intention was to originally give 3+ weeks and leave before Christmas/my vacation, and begin new position first thing in January, the paperwork and offer process has taken longer than expected.

Now I am unsure of what to do. Giving notice on Dec 13th that Dec 24 is my last day is 1.5 weeks, but to stay 10 days, leave on vacation for a week, then return for a week in January seems so strange and silly.

I dislike my boss greatly but it is a company in my career field and I do value my colleagues so I feel like it's not fair to give less than 2 weeks. Maybe it's because we've just been drilled to give two weeks?

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I think your colleagues will be slightly annoyed but will undestand that its completely silly for you to come back for a lame duck week right after the holidays. Go ahead with your plan.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you. The good thing is most projects have been on a slow-down which I trust will continue through the December holidays. Hopefully leaving before 2-3 weeks won't put my colleagues out too much since there is a lull.

What about proposing both options to my boss, and seeing what she thinks is best for the group? I am willing to come back for that week in January but it's totally lame-duck. Maybe putting the ball in her court?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you. The good thing is most projects have been on a slow-down which I trust will continue through the December holidays. Hopefully leaving before 2-3 weeks won't put my colleagues out too much since there is a lull.

What about proposing both options to my boss, and seeing what she thinks is best for the group? I am willing to come back for that week in January but it's totally lame-duck. Maybe putting the ball in her court?

+1 on this one. It shows professionalism and that you're considering their needs.

It also prevents any claim that you left them in the lurch.

[Anonymous]

I agree that proposing both options could be a good route. I suspect your boss will decline the January option to leave it up to you. Just be sure before you propose it that you won't recent your boss further if he or she takes you up on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you. The good thing is most projects have been on a slow-down which I trust will continue through the December holidays. Hopefully leaving before 2-3 weeks won't put my colleagues out too much since there is a lull.

What about proposing both options to my boss, and seeing what she thinks is best for the group? I am willing to come back for that week in January but it's totally lame-duck. Maybe putting the ball in her court?

+1 on this one. It shows professionalism and that you're considering their needs.

It also prevents any claim that you left them in the lurch.

+2 I also think giving your boss the option is the best way to go.

[Anonymous]

+3 I was going to suggest that then read your followup.

[Anonymous]

I was in a similar situation and decided to give my last day in January, in part so that I could put that new year on my resume and show longer job tenure (it was the difference between having been in the position 2 years and 3, since I had started the job in Jan). It may not matter for you, but that date will be on your resume forever, and working an extra week is a small thing.